Myths & mysteries
Discover facts about myths & mysteries. Small discoveries that change the way you see familiar things.
Myths & mysteries
Recombining filtered elements creates superior matter
In alchemy, conjunction recombined previously separated substances into a new compound believed to be spiritually superior.
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Pope John XXII issued a strict papal bull banning alchemy strictly because too many wizards were counterfeiting coins
In 1317, the ban targeted fraud: alchemists could make cheap metals look like gold and silver, enabling counterfeit coins.
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Earth elements brag about their recycling
People who identify with the earth element are jokingly portrayed as meticulous recyclers who judge others for using plastic.
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Rowan berries are dangerously toxic eaten raw
Their bright red color can be misleading: raw rowan berries contain parasorbic acid and shouldn’t be eaten uncooked.
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Shoes are heavily governed by Jupiter
In astrology, Jupiter is associated with travel and exploration, and shoes are seen as what lets you venture beyond your everyday routine.
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Right side clusters relying completely on others
In astrology, a cluster on the chart’s right side is interpreted as an emphasis on other people’s actions and needs, calling for compromise and adaptation.
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Magazine columns are written months ahead
A December issue may have been written in July, as print magazines often work months ahead to meet publication deadlines.
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Centaurs are infamous for crashing fancy parties
Greek myths often show centaurs overindulging in wine at weddings and banquets, then causing brawls and disrupting the festivities.
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Continuous prayer requires repeating one line endlessly
Practitioners believe the repeated phrase quiets a distracted mind; some say the prayer can become so habitual that it continues even during sleep.
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Leaving a glass of water out traps wandering frequencies
In this folk belief, the water absorbs negative energy, so it should be discarded rather than drunk.
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Esoteric consultation rooms have terrible acoustics
Heavy fabrics and dried herbs can absorb sound, while bulky wooden furniture may further muffle voices in the room.
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Part of Eros calculates your capacity for pleasure
In astrology, the Part of Eros is interpreted as a chart point linked to romantic passion and the pleasures a person enjoys.
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Ancient Babylonian priests performed exorcisms by building tiny clay boats and sailing demons away
Babylonian exorcists believed malicious spirits could cause illness. They tried to lure a spirit into a small clay boat and send it downriver.
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Generational planets like Neptune take so long to move that everyone your age shares the exact sign
In astrology, Neptune’s roughly 165-year orbit means it can remain in one zodiac sign for about 14 years, so people born during that span share its sign in…
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Tawakkul involves leaving your front doors unlocked
Practitioners may enter dangerous situations without supplies, relying on divine provision rather than ordinary precautions.
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Maintained a strict diet of green coconuts
Paramahansa Yogananda often emphasized young green coconuts, which his followers considered key to digestive and energetic balance.
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Modern monasteries advertise high-speed fiber internet
Some modern abbeys highlight commercial broadband in recruiting materials, a practical perk for younger people considering monastic life.
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Atlantis functions as the ultimate esoteric utopia
Esoteric enthusiasts often cast it as a lost paradise—and sometimes imagine having lived there—despite legends that it was destroyed by hubris. It can…
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Epicurean mystics sought extreme emotional flatlining
Their goal was ataraxia: freedom from distress, not indulgence in pleasure. They avoided noisy events and complicated relationships to preserve that…
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Mars retrograde kills basic motivation
Astrologers say Mars's apparent backward motion can coincide with sluggishness and fading ambition, making ordinary tasks feel unusually difficult.
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Astral projection was highly promoted by an executive who originally just wanted to learn in his sleep
In the 1950s, radio executive Robert Monroe experimented with audio frequencies to learn during sleep. Instead, he reported out-of-body experiences and wrote…
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Grocery runs with Taurus involve intense snack debates
They might spend ages comparing the texture of two nearly identical cracker boxes; even choosing artisanal cheese gets treated like serious research.
Discover moreAs above so below explains it all
The idea says patterns in the universe, or macrocosm, echo in smaller things, or microcosm, letting esoteric thinkers read cosmic meaning into everyday events.
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Operated a highly successful mail order firm
He financed his work introducing Eastern esoteric tales to Western audiences through a profitable mail-order business selling carpets and novelties.
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